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A. BOHMAN. FOLDING STEP LADDER,

(No Model.)

Patented Mar. 25, 1884.

4/ elm:

N, PETERS. Pnummw m her. Washington. D. C.

"time STATES A'IYFNT Erica.

AUGUST BOHMAN, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, AssIeNon or ONE-HALF ro CHARLES J. STROMBERG, or SAME PLACE.

FOLDING STEP-LADDER.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 295,518, dated March 25, 1884.

Application filed December 13, 1883. (No model.) v

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, AUGUST BOHMAN, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding Step- Ladders, of which the following, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a front view of the folded ladder. Fig. 2 is a like representation of the same unfolded. Fig. 3 is aside view of the ladder unfolded and set for use. Fig. 4: is a detail showing the construction of the ends of the steps. Fig. 5 is a section in the plane of the line .90 x of Fig. 2, viewed in the direction indicated by the arrow there shown. Fig. 6 is a detail of the detachable brace-bar. the means employed for connecting the bracelegs to the side rails. Fig. Sis a detail showing the means attached to the brace-legs for coupling them to the side rails; and Fig. 9 is a sectional detail in the plane of the line y y of Fig. 7, viewed in the direction indicated by the arrow there shown.

Like letters of reference indicate like, parts. A A represent the side rails of the ladder. Those sides of the rails A Awhich are toward each other are cut away bevelingly, as shown at a a. In the shoulders a a, at the junction of the beveled portions to a, are small recesses ll B B are the steps. These steps have tenons b b on their ends, which are pierced or have holes I) b therein, to connect the side rails and steps together by arranging the tenons b b in the recesses a a, and by passing pinsc 0 through the shoulders at a and through the said tenons, thus linking or hinging the steps and side rails to each other in such a manner that the rails may be folded together, the steps then lying between the beveled parts a a, as.

Fig. 7 is a rear view of a part of utility, although the folded ladder is thereby retained more firmly in its folded. position, and the rails A A are prevented from rocking or tilting while folded, thus relieving the joints of any strain at that time.

0 O are the brace-legs. l

D D are hinged plates, the lower parts of which have sockets in them to receive the upper ends of the legs 0 O, and on the upper parts of which plates are the headed studs or buttons D D, rigidly attached thereto. I connect the legs G G to the lower parts of the plates D D, if need be, by means of nails, screws, or suitable similar fastenings.

E is a brace-bar, in the ends of which are eyes F F, and F F are hooks in the legs 0 0, arranged to enter the eyes F F.

G G are eyes on one face of the bar E, for the purpose hereinafter referred to.

H is a plate on the upper end or portion of each rail A, respectively. These plates stand out between their lateral edges from the rails A A, forming between the rails and plates recesses f f; and g is an opening adapted to receive the head of the stud or button D. This opening has a contracted or narrow portion, as shown in Fig. 7, to receive only the neck of the stud D.

I is a chain or cord connecting the rails A A and legs 0 O detachably. 1

In practice I deemit best to provide the end of the steps B B with metallic caps.

This ladder may be used either with or with out the legs 0 C; but as its convenience is greatly increased by adapting it to be employed in connection with such legs, as occasion may require, I have provided means for attaching and detaching the legs with facility. T0 attach the legs 0 O to the rails A A, I arrange the buttons D Din the openings 9 g and raise IOO - are combined the side rails, A A, having on the detachable brace-bar E, substantially as their sides or faces the beveled portions a a, and for the purposes set forth. and the recesses a a, and the steps B B, having In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my on their ends tenons b b, entering the said reown I hereto affix my signature in presence of 5 cesses, and there hinged or jointed to the side two Witnesses.

rails substantially as and for the purposes set form. AUGUST BOHMAN.

2. Aportable folding ladder, combined with Witnesses:

the brace-legs O O, and means for connecting F. F. WARNER,

'10 the said legs detachably to the side rails, and I T. B. HALPENNY. 

